Daniel Breyer, the son of billionaire venture capitalist Jim Breyer, is set to release his debut novel, Smokebirds, this Tuesday through Rare Bird Lit. The novel serves as a poignant critique of a wealthy, high-society family in San Francisco, a world that Daniel is all too familiar with, given his upbringing.

Reflecting on his father's influence, he states, “He’s done nothing but give me an incredible life, and he’s a really good dad.” This comment underscores the complexity of his relationship with his father, who is a prominent figure in the venture capital industry, having made lucrative early investments in companies like Facebook and Etsy. With a net worth of approximately $1.8 billion, Jim Breyer embodies the very elite class that Daniel scrutinizes in his writing. Daniel recognizes the inherent cliches of his background, noting, “This book’s a lot about nepotism, and that’s the world that I live in.”

Having grown up in a luxurious six-bedroom, five-bathroom estate valued at $15 million in the picturesque area of Woodside, California, Daniel attended a private high school in Menlo Park. His peers were often the children of venture capitalists and entrepreneurs, further immersing him in a world of affluence. He later pursued a degree in history at Brown University. Following his graduation, he ventured into the tech world by co-founding an early-stage cryptocurrency firm with his brother and eventually joined his father’s firm, where he currently serves as a partner.

During an interview at the lively La Boulangerie in Noe Valley, Daniel expressed hope that his father would not be offended by the portrayal of characters in Smokebirds. He remarked, “He’s a much better person than all of my characters, I promise.” The characters in his novel are crafted with sharp precision, reflecting the worst behaviors and traits he has observed in his affluent circles. They resemble the archetypes found in popular series like White Lotus and Succession—self-absorbed and lacking in depth.

“They’re all awful characters,” he admits. “Maybe they’re all the worst parts of myself, or the worst thoughts that have ever entered my head, coupled with the worst behaviors I’ve seen from other people in my circles.” This admission speaks to a broader commentary on privilege and moral decay within elite society.

The novel paints a grim picture of this privileged environment, showcasing characters who engage in substance abuse, extramarital affairs, and financial deceit. A particularly striking scene involves a character trying to cover up a catastrophic forest fire caused by their company, adding a layer of urgency and relevance to the narrative. The absurdity of the situation is highlighted when one character begins therapy after reading about its benefits in a book by Facebook's Sheryl Sandberg.

Daniel was inspired to write Smokebirds during what he refers to as “Orange Sky Day,” a day in September 2020 when wildfires turned the skies of San Francisco a haunting shade of orange. This event sharply illustrated the dire consequences of climate change and ineffective land management. He notes that while the world crumbled around him, conversations in his affluent circles revolved not around the reasons for this catastrophic event, but rather on how to insulate themselves from its impact.

Despite his critical approach, Daniel clarifies that his novel is not a repudiation of his wealthy upbringing. “I love investing and working with entrepreneurs,” he asserts. Instead, Smokebirds serves as a lens through which to examine the excesses and moral failings of the elite. The story centers on the Peterson family, whose wealth stems from patriarch Duke Peterson’s lucrative lumber company, notorious for profiting from the forest fires ravaging California. The members of the family—Duke’s children Eliza and Richard, and grandchildren Cole and Emmett—struggle with the ramifications of their privilege, with everyone portrayed as deeply unsatisfied and unlikable.

Daniel's experiences in the elite circles he critiques have not been devoid of hypocrisy. He recalls a fashion show held by his high school to raise funds for financial aid, where students showcased designer clothing worth thousands of dollars. He reflects, “What type of place every year raises money for financial aid by having their 17- to 18-year-olds parade down an aisle in clothes that cost $2,000?” His observations continued through college and into the venture capital world, where he encountered many wealthy individuals who lacked self-awareness and genuine character.

Nonetheless, he strives to avoid coming off as self-righteous or leading a class war. Acknowledging the irony of his position as a “nepo baby,” he observes, “You can be a ‘good nepo baby’ and own it, and it’s almost a social currency — people like you more.” He recognizes the tension between his privilege and the critique he offers in the novel.

In a bid to understand his father's stance, The Standard attempted to reach Jim Breyer for a comment on his son's novel. However, Daniel indicated that his father would not be providing any public comments or participating in interviews regarding the book. He conveyed that although Jim is proud of Daniel and a supporter of the novel, he respects that this is Daniel’s individual project.